Lemur
Eulemur
Hapalemur
Prolemur
Varecia Lemuridae is one of the four families of lemurs and are part of a class of primates known as prosimians. These animals are the evolutionary predecessors of monkeys and apes (simians).

Genus Lemur has only one member: Lemur catta, or the Ring-tailed Lemur. It is easily recognized by its black and white striped tail, and is found in many zoos.

Lemurs get their name from the Ancient Roman belief that they were ghosts or spirits. They were mistaken for specters (spirits) because they were nocturnal.

Classification

• ORDER PRIMATES
  • Suborder Strepsirrhini: non-tarsier prosimians
    • Family Cheirogaleidae: dwarf and mouse lemurs
    • Family Lemuridae:
      • Genus Lemur
        • Ring-tailed Lemur, Lemur catta
      • Genus Eulemur: brown lemurs
        • Black Lemur , Eulemur macaco
        • Brown Lemur , Eulemur fulvus
        • Sanford's Lemur , Eulemur sanfordi
        • White-fronted Lemur , Eulemur albifrons
        • Red-fronted Lemur , Eulemur rufus
        • Red-collared Lemur , Eulemur collaris
        • White-collared Lemur , Eulemur albocollaris
        • Mongoose Lemur, Eulemur mongoz
        • Crowned Lemur , Eulemur coronatus
        • Red-bellied Lemur , Eulemur rubriventer
      • Genus Hapalemur : lesser gentle or bamboo lemurs
        • Gray Gentle Lemur , Hapalemur griseus
        • Sambriano Gentle Lemur , Hapalemur occidentalis
        • Alaotran Gentle Lemur , Hapalemur alaotrensis
        • Golden Gentle Lemur , Hapalemur aureus
      • Genus Prolemur
        • Broad-nosed Gentle Lemur , Prolemur simus
      • Genus Varecia : ruffed lemurs
        • Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur, Varecia variegata
        • Red Ruffed Lemur , Varecia rubra
    • Family Megaladapidae: sportive lemurs
    • Family Indridae: woolly lemurs and allies
    • Family Daubentoniidae: Aye-aye
    • Family Loridae: lorises, pottos and allies
    • Family Galagonidae: galagos
  • Suborder Haplorrhini: tarsiers, monkeys and apes